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How much house can I afford?
The highest price your income, debts and savings allow under each loan’s rules, and what limits you most.
Free, no sign-up. What you type stays on your phone.
This week's average 30-year rate: 7.18% (Freddie Mac, November 5, 2026).
- Connected to 3,222 counties and 33,486 ZIP codes
- FHA and conventional rules, 2026 loan limits and an ITIN example
- Public data from Freddie Mac, the Census Bureau, and HUD
Move the numbers and the result changes right away. We start with the typical numbers for the United States; change any of them to yours.
Calculating with the numbers for:
Your numbers
The minimum for this loan is 3.5%. More down lowers the monthly payment.
Adjust advanced details
First number: share of income for housing. Second: housing plus debts. Lender references, not fixed rules.
Let's do the math
Estimated top price
National figure$227,000
Limited by the housing payment: at that price it would be about $1,883 a month, 28% of your income.
- By the housing payment (28% of income)Limits you$227,000
- By your total debts (36% of income)$292,000
- By your cash (down payment + closing)$330,500
- Typical home in the United States
- $332,700
- Your cap is 68% of the typical home.
What changes if…?
- …you save $10,000 more$227,000
- …you cut $200 a month in debts$227,000
Your maximum price with four loans
Same income, debts and savings; only the down payment and the loan type change. ITIN uses an example down payment and rate.
| FHA 3.5% | Conventional 5% | Conventional 20% | ITIN 15% (example) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum price | $227,000 | $232,000 | $93,000 | $119,000 |
| Payment per month | $1,883 | $1,882 | $616 | $898 |
Educational estimate, not a pre-approval. Uses example insurance (0.5% of value per year) and example closing costs (3% of price); the tax is the place’s typical rate.
Rate of 7.18% (Freddie Mac national average as of November 5, 2026). Home insurance is an example; get quotes. This is an educational estimate, not a loan offer.
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How is it calculated?
The same formulas lenders use, with the rules each program publishes. Nothing is hidden.
The formula
Maximum price = the highest price whose full payment stays within 28% of income (housing only) and 36% counting your debts, and whose down payment plus 3% in closing costs fit your cash.
Example with the numbers for the United States
- Typical household income
- $80,734 ($6,728 per month)
- Housing payment at 28%
- $1,884
- Example cash
- $21,626
- Estimated maximum price
- $227,000
Computed from the page's data when it was built; in the tool you replace every number with your own.
What moves the result?
Six things that change the number more than anything else.
-
Income
Lenders compare the payment with your pre-tax income; programs, with the household's.
-
Debts
Car, cards and student loans take room away from housing.
-
Your savings
Down payment, closing costs and a reserve. Down-payment assistance counts.
-
The rate
One point of rate changes the payment for the whole term. Compare at least three offers.
-
The down payment
More down, less loan and less mortgage insurance. The minimum depends on the program.
-
Tax and insurance
They sit inside the payment. The tax depends on the county; the insurance, on the home and the area.
The official numbers behind the tool
Official data the tool uses, so you can compare.
Incomes in the most populous counties of the United States
| Place | Typical household income | Income per month | Housing at 28% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County (CA) | $90,112 | $7,509 | $2,103 |
| Cook County (IL) | $83,498 | $6,958 | $1,948 |
| Harris County (TX) | $74,983 | $6,249 | $1,750 |
| Maricopa County (AZ) | $89,300 | $7,442 | $2,084 |
| San Diego County (CA) | $106,268 | $8,856 | $2,480 |
| Orange County (CA) | $116,289 | $9,691 | $2,713 |
| Miami-Dade County (FL) | $71,753 | $5,979 | $1,674 |
| Kings County (NY) | $80,263 | $6,689 | $1,873 |
- Los Angeles County (CA) $90,112$7,509
- Cook County (IL) $83,498$6,958
- Harris County (TX) $74,983$6,249
- Maricopa County (AZ) $89,300$7,442
- San Diego County (CA) $106,268$8,856
- Orange County (CA) $116,289$9,691
- Miami-Dade County (FL) $71,753$5,979
- Kings County (NY) $80,263$6,689
Source: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024)
The average rate, week by week
| Week | 30-year | 15-year |
|---|---|---|
| September 17, 2026 | 6.95% | 6.26% |
| September 24, 2026 | 7.03% | 6.42% |
| October 1, 2026 | 7.28% | 6.60% |
| October 8, 2026 | 7.40% | 6.73% |
| October 15, 2026 | 7.40% | 6.71% |
| October 22, 2026 | 7.32% | 6.68% |
| October 29, 2026 | 7.24% | 6.60% |
| November 5, 2026 | 7.18% | 6.57% |
- September 17, 2026 6.95%6.26%
- September 24, 2026 7.03%6.42%
- October 1, 2026 7.28%6.60%
- October 8, 2026 7.40%6.73%
- October 15, 2026 7.40%6.71%
- October 22, 2026 7.32%6.68%
- October 29, 2026 7.24%6.60%
- November 5, 2026 7.18%6.57%
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026)
— means the source publishes no value.
Want your county's numbers?
Type your county or ZIP code: the tool loads its numbers and keeps them in your browser for the other tools.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my top price below the typical home value in the United States?
Because prices rose faster than incomes in many areas. The cap depends on your income, debts, cash and the rate. Try what changes with more savings, fewer debts or down-payment help, and look at your state’s programs.
Which debt ratio should I use?
As a reference: conservative (25% housing, 33% total) leaves more room; typical (28%/36%) is the most used; maximum (31%/43%) is the most many programs accept with a strong file. A payment that fits on paper may not fit your life.
What counts as income?
What you can document and that is stable: payroll, self-employment with tax returns, pensions. Lenders often review two years of history; a housing counselor helps you prepare the paperwork.
Is this a pre-approval?
No. It is an educational estimate with your own numbers. A pre-approval comes from a lender after reviewing your credit, income and savings.
Methodology and sources (Freddie Mac, the Census Bureau, and HUD)
- Monthly payment: for each price we work out the full payment (principal, interest, the place’s property tax, example insurance of 0.5% of the value and mortgage insurance by loan type), just like the mortgage calculator.
- Housing cap: the highest price whose payment stays within the share of income you chose (conservative 25%, typical 28%, maximum 31%).
- Debt cap: the price whose payment, plus your other monthly debts, stays within the second share (33%, 36% or 43%).
- Cash cap: the down payment plus closing costs (example: 3% of the price) must fit in your savings plus any help you get. The top price is the lowest of the three caps.
Data
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026)
- American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024)
- FHA mortgage limits (2026 data)
Program rules
- HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
- HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05: Reduction of FHA Annual MIP Rates · In effect since March 20, 2023
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B7-1-01 — Provision of Mortgage Insurance · In effect since January 1, 2024
- VA: VA funding fee and loan closing costs — purchase and construction loans · In effect since April 7, 2023
- USDA Rural Development: Fiscal Year 2027 Conditional Commitment Notice (SFH Guaranteed) · In effect since October 1, 2026
What comes next?
Go on to the tool that answers your next question, or read a guide at your own pace.
Want someone to go over it with you? A HUD-approved counselor does it for free or at low cost. Find a counselor
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Guides to read next
- Down payment assistance: how it works What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
- HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
- How much do you need for a down payment? 20% is not required: what each loan asks for (FHA, conventional, VA, USDA), what changes with less than 20% down, and where the money can come from.
- How to buy a home in the United States, step by step The nine steps to buying a home: paperwork, credit, budget, assistance, preapproval, offer, inspection, closing and the first year, with official sources.